I adopted a pregnant dog and I think that she is in labor.?

Question

SHE STARTED PRODUCING MILK YESTERDAY AND SHE HAD A LITTLE CLEAR DISCHARGE. TODAY HER TEMP HAS STAYED AT 99.7 . ANY ADVISE WOULD BE HELPFUL THANKS

Answer 1

okay first go on line and type up labor instructions for dog.. this is for emergencies lets say one gets stuck.. never pull pups out unless they get stuck.. second she is going to try to shread papers or what ever she can get a hold of this is normal its called nesting.. another things is you may want to move her to the tub this can be very messy and hard to clean pluss the tub the pups can't get out.. second know that labor can last a while and can be upto an hour apart a pup.. look it up It will be okay.. one more thing look up and emergancy vet number have it on hand incase something happens .. always good to be prepared

Answer 2

About 12 to 24 hours before the birth, the dam’s temperature may drop a couple of de-grees. If her normal temperature is, say, 101°, it may drop to about 99° or 98°.

Keep a cell phone near you with the emergency number of the nearest animal hospital, just in case you need it.

The onset of labor is usually accompanied by heavy panting, pacing, and “nest building” behaviors. The dog may whine throughout the process, shriek at the birth of each puppy, or be completely silent. When hard labor starts, the contractions become more severe. The dam’s panting will escalate a bit, and she may “hunch” over and/or lift her tail with each contraction. Just before the birth of each pup, you’ll see the puppy as a “bulge” just under the dam’s tail.

Don’t impose yourself on the birth area or get “grabby” during the birthing process. Female dogs can be rather unpredictable when they‘re giving birth. If your dog panics or sees you as a “threat” to her puppies, she may bite. Take your cues from your dog. She’ll let you know if she needs you (or wants you there) or not.

Breech births are not unusual for dogs. In fact, your dog may have some puppies that present head-first, and some tail first throughout the birthing process. As long as the puppy gets out all the way, and gets out relatively quickly, it shouldn’t pose a problem for the dam.

Usually the dam will remove the sac and bite the umbilical cord by herself, but new mothers may be overwhelmed and unsure of what to do when the first pup arrives. If you have to break open the birth sac, do it gently, and pull the sac away from the puppy’s head first. You need to make sure it can breathe. If you have to cut the umbilical cord, cut it with sterile scissors about ½” inch away from the puppy’s belly.

Call the vet if:
If you see any heavy discharge of blood… If the dam has been trying to birth the same puppy for hours and the puppy isn’t coming out…If you see foul-smelling blackish-green fluid emit from the vaginal area (this usually means a still birth puppy is inside of her)… If the puppies are premature or undeveloped or any time you feel things just aren’t going right.

And we have to congratulate you for adopting a pregnant dog!

Answer 3

Your dog may very well be in labor! The first indication would be that her body temp is on the low side of normal. About 24 hours before the onset of labor (uterine contractions) the temp drops.

The milk and the discharge is also suggesting labor. Specifically, about 12 hours before, she should produce a white/clear discharge from her vagina. (Any discharge that is brown, green, or has a strong odor, is NOT normal.)

Before delivery of the first pup, she will pant and pace, and display "nesting" behavior. Do you have a whelping box ready? It should be large enough for her to lie comfortably without lying on top of babies. It's sides should be high enough to keep pups in, and allow mom out, when she wants a break.

It is really important to keep the environment QUIET. Dogs can actually be thrown out of labor because there is too much noise and activity around. (If you have kids, keep them away.)

See a vet immediately if:

- There is more than 4 hours between pups.
- Greenish discharge and no pup within 1 - 11/2 hours after she begins contractions.
- She seems weak, is crying, or is biting at vulva with no pup coming.

Oh! and very important - keep puppies very warm, until she is fully able to nurse and care for them!!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Do a general internet search on canine birth and start reading - do that RIGHT NOW because she is in the beginning stages of labor and you're likely to see puppies before morning.
Stay calm, animals mostly do it by themselves and your role is to sooth and support her.
I read up on this the other day while someones cat was in labor, be sure to find out what the signs are if you need vet help, it will avoid panic later. For the cat, it was continous heavy labor for 60 minutes without producing a kitten.
Call your vet and let them know this is happening, ask what, exactly, you need to do to get thier help or a referrral to somone.
Best wishes and congrats on your new babies! I haven't seen an animal birth since I was a kid, I wish I could come over!

Answer 5

Is she panting heavy. She will also not lay still for long if it is getting close. She will constantly try to get comfortable. She will either stop eating or gorge herself and then abruptly stop right before. You will notice her laying and trying to get comfortable, the heavy panting is a sign of labor and she may growl and whine a little as the puppies start to come. Stay by her side if she is willing to let you in case she should get tired or need help getting them out. also you can help get the pups clean, do not do this unless she is too wiped out to, it is her way of bonding and getting her scent on the pups, but it does not hurt to help her when she becomes too tired to do it. Her temp may go up a little, but it's hard to tell how much. Hopefully you have a place for her to be comfortable and she is comfortable enough with you to let you help.

Answer 6

LEAVE HER ALONE!!! It's a dog, they generally know what to do themselves. No need to call your vet unless you think there is some kind of problem. Just make sure she has a comfortable bed and DON'T BOTHER THE PUPPIES when she has them. Just let her do her thing AND DON'T DISTURB HER,unless you think there is some kind of complication, then you need to call your vet. Dogs have instincts, and if you bother her or her puppies she may not care for them after they are born. I learned this the first time my mini dacshund had a litter of puppies, I called my vet because I wasn't for sure if she was in labor or not. He said if you bother her while she is giving birth that she will expect you to feed and take care of the puppies after they are born. I had to just back off and leave her alone. All went well. It could take several hours for her to have them all. My dog had her first puppy at 9 p.m and her last one at 6:30 am. Good luck!!!!! :)

PS If she is truly in labor she won't eat or drink like one other person said, so don't try to force water or food in her like the next person suggests. It is a dog's instinct to clear their system to get ready for whelping. After the puppies are born she will eat and drink enough for her milk supply. I just can't express to you enough not to bother her during this time.

Answer 7

When her temperture falls lower. Put newspapers in for her to make a nest. She'll busy herself and will not stop when she is about to have those pups. You'll be able to tell just by the racket of the papers. Calm down mom.

Answer 8

One of the signs of labor is "nesting", she will scratch and circle around in her bed and whine. When the puppies are on the way, dont touch them. She will be very protective over them, and she will also be very stressed. There will be alot of mess so be sure you have plenty of old blankets for her to give birth in. Good luck, thats so exciting!

Answer 9

Call your vet....Create a place for her to have the pups such as the kitchen floor..Create an area of old towels and newspapers..when she starts scratching at the newspaper on the floor..she is getting ready to pop.

Again, call your vet. Nothing like having professional help.

Answer 10

She'll start panting heavily and be very restless. Get a whelping box ready if you haven't already. She may try to go hide, so keep her in an area you can get to her. Give her a comfy blanket (preferrable one you aren't too attached to because it won't be any good after whelping). Just keep her in a nice quiet place. If she refuses food and water..... she's getting close.